[Sparklechick]

An email was sent around work the other day asking us how many Christmas cards we would need for our Departments to give away.

I then realised that Christmas is not that far away.

ARGH. Don't tell me another year is nearly over.

What the hell happened to 2004?

[Penny]

Oh yeah I knew christmas was coming up, my family starting arguing about where we there were going to have it months ago.

I think it will go slowly for me, because I have a few things happening between now & christmas, its kinda 3rd down on the list to think about.

[edshuck]

Thanks,

I always wait. But this time may be different.

Thanks agoin.

[Sparklechick]

So what does your family do for Christmas Ed?

How about Thanksgiving? Something we don't celebrate over here.

[jeni2004]

Originally Posted by Sparklechick

An email was sent around work the other day asking us how many Christmas cards we would need for our Departments to give away.

I then realised that Christmas is not that far away.

ARGH. Don't tell me another year is nearly over.

What the hell happened to 2004?

i don't the hell know but it went by too fast didn't it

[edshuck]

Thanksgiving

Ah, First a trip to Alcatraz to commemorate the Native American retaking of the island in the '70s.

Then home to eat, eat, eat.

Kim (my daughter) may be off to a powwow with the kids.

We have a tradition that is guranteed to give indigestion to the uninitiated. My mother in law will sit at the head of the table and goad each participant to load their plate and eat. But it never stops. She just goes on like the bunny in the battery commercials. Then she will not recall saying anything and start again and again.

Then she jumps up to wash the dishes while every one is eating saying something like, "Leave room for desert". "Why have you not finished?"

Christmas
Humm, presents for the kids. Lots of those. Kim starts shopping in February.

Opening is another form of Polish torture that can be told like this.

"I wanted to save that piece of paper and now it is torn.. Oh, well."
"Put the wrapping paper in the bag. Keep things neat."
"And on and on"

Ten years ago I quit drinking. I think this year I will go to the local bar and just call in for a bit of cheer"

Originally Posted by jeni2004

i don't the hell know but it went by too fast didn't it

You cut right to it.

Time flew.

If I take tonights lotto, I'll be there for Christmas! Not a lot of chance for that. But tonight is $99 million.

[kall]

Originally Posted by edshuck

If I take tonights lotto, I'll be there for Christmas! Not a lot of chance for that. But tonight is $99 million.

For you Ed, the spare room is alwas open.

[Penny]

Originally Posted by edshuck

If I take tonights lotto, I'll be there for Christmas! Not a lot of chance for that. But tonight is $99 million.

*goes out fishing for Ed when he gets here*

Your Thanksgiving sounds like our christmas... eat till you can eat no more!

My grandparents used to torture us, becuase they would feed us this HUGE meal of turkey and the works for lunch, then after lunch suggest a "walk" and their "walks" and other peoples hikes! Who on earth wants to do that on a full stomach!

I used to love it how they would put coins in the pudding, we'd go around and collect everybody's coins and wash them, and then see how rich we were. When in reality it really only added up to $1.

[LostinChina]

Christmas is ok when you are with family and friends...

...but it just sucks when your not - right? - especially when you are in a different country - and especially if the country doesn't celebrate christmas...

* - "Silent Night" begins playing in the background... *

* - stares into space - *

* begins to sing Silent Night himself *


Si-ilent night
Ho-oly night
ALL is calm
ALL is br...


* gets hit in the head by a frying pan from irritated flatmates *

[Sparklechick]

Last year it was just me and my Mum so I took her out to one of the best restaurants in town and we had Christmas lunch there. It was really nice because we didn't have to cook or do dishes!

My nieces were dropped off to us on Boxing Day and then we took them up to my Grandmothers farm so did the family thing then.

My mothers family has a big celebration on New Years Day. Friends and family (usually around 60 people) head up to my Grans for a picnic and then most head off in the afternoon. We put a hangi down for those who stay.

[Penny]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh hangi *heads to sparkley's grans from New Years*

[Sparklechick]

Everyone's welcome!

[Penny]

Originally Posted by Sparklechick

Everyone's welcome!

Right I'm there, can I come for christmas too since my family is making it soooooooo complicated for me

[Sparklechick]

Originally Posted by Penny

Right I'm there, can I come for christmas too since my family is making it soooooooo complicated for me

I don't know what I'm doing for Christmas this year yet. My Dad is going to Christchurch. My brother has his two girls and is talking about sticking around in Tauranga for Christmas with them and his fiance. I can't leave Mum without anyone to have Christmas with so it might just be me and her. Kall will need to head up to his Dad's place to have Christmas with his family. I'm just going to play it all by ear until I hear definite plans and then will decide what I'm going to do.

so YES of course you can have Christmas with us Penny!!!!!

[kathy31]

Cool, Im planning on an extremely casual Xmas this year ;o)

Im gonna start from Wellington and make my way up the whole Nth Isaland stopping in at friends and family the whole way up....

With any luck I may even get to meet you Sparklechick?

[Sparklechick]

Originally Posted by kathy31

With any luck I may even get to meet you Sparklechick?

YAY, that would be cool.

[Bluey and Aquila]

It used to be a lovely time of year for us, Mum and I would cook and we had my sisters and their partners and kids here, then in the evening we had a BBQ with leftovers from lunch, extended family would then turn up.

Then when Mum died in 2000 christmas sorta become yucky ( but its getting better )

First christmas my Dad and I went to my younger sisters ( older sister was in Auck )


2nd christmas My sister went into hospital on Xmas eve and had her baby (stillborn) on christmas morning.


3rd christmas I had a new man in my life but he had gone to westport with his family, he missed me so much that I drove over on Boxing day and picked him up.

But Christmas this year is going to be good, My inlaws are away to the coast and my hubby and I get to spend it with our 15 month old and my 11 yr old, And my older sister who I havent spent christmas with for 4 years is moving back to chch at the end of this month so it will be nice to spend it with them.